Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Pure Love’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Pure Love’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; white-colored flowers that are densely covered with fine purplish pink-colored dots and reddish purple-colored venation with white-colored margin edges; and good postproduction longevity.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘PURE LOVE’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR AND APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application, Floricultura B.V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Sep. 14, 2020, application number 2020/2153. Foreign priority is not claimed to this European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/or Applicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Pure Love’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Nantou, Taiwan and Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new fast-growing and freely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and large flowers with unique and attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination in September, 2012 in Nantou, Taiwan of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Modern Rose’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection from crossing of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Otohime’ X P. hybrida ‘Cassandra’, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Heemskerk, The Netherlands in November, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristem propagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlands since November, 2018 has shown that the unique features of this new Phalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Pure Love’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Pure Love’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Strong flowering stems.     -   4. Strong leaves.     -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per         plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.     -   6. White-colored flowers that are densely covered with fine         purplish pink-colored dots and reddish purple-colored venation         with white-colored margin edges.     -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the female parent, ‘Modern Rose’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Modern Rose’ in flower color as flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have denser venation than flowers of plants of ‘Modern Rose’. In addition, the curvature of the labellum is stronger in plants of the new Phalaenopsis than plants of ‘Modern Rose’.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the male parent, the proprietary selection from crossing of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Otohime’ X P. hybrida ‘Cassandra’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in flower color as plants of the new Phalaenopsis have white-colored flowers that are densely covered with fine purplish pink-colored dots and reddish purple-colored venation with white-colored margin edges whereas plants of the male parent selection have white-colored flowers with violet-colored venation.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Harper Seven’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,682. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Harper Seven’ in flower color as plants of the new Phalaenopsis have white-colored flowers that are densely covered with fine purplish pink-colored dots and reddish purple-colored venation with white-colored margin edges whereas plants of ‘Harper Seven’ have purple violet-colored flowers with a central whitish haze. In addition, the curvature of the labellum is slightly weaker in plants of the new Phalaenopsis than plants of ‘Harper Seven’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Pure Love’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical flower and flower buds of ‘Pure Love’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the early spring in 10.5-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsis production. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs and description were taken. During the first twelve months of production of the plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C. During the final six months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. During the 18 months of production, light levels ranged from a minimum of 5,000 lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Pure Love’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Modern Rose’, not             patented.         -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection from crossing of             Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Otohime’ X P. hybrida ‘Cassandra’, not             patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks             at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and             winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to             30° C.         -   Root description.—Thick, fibrous; typically grey to green in             color; actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate             composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate             temperature and age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Low amount of branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright             plant habit with typically two inflorescences per plant,             each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;             moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate             growth rate.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About             16 cm.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of             inflorescences.—About 50.6 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 37.6 cm. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about             eight leaves per plant.         -   Length.—About 20.2 cm.         -   Width.—About 7.7 cm.         -   Aspect.—Upright to outwardly arching.         -   Shape.—Oblanceolate to elliptic to narrowly elliptic;             slightly carinate.         -   Apex.—Unequal acute.         -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 1.7 cm. Sheath width:             About 1.3 cm. Sheath color: Close to 143C; tinged towards             the margins with close to 137C.         -   Margin.—Entire; slightly revolute.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,             glabrous; slightly glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A; margin             edges, tinged with close to a blend of N199A and N199B.             Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137B;             venation, close to NN137B. Fully expanded leaves, lower             surface: Close to 146A; margin edges, close to 148A;             venation, close to NN137B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers             arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two             inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about 16             to 17 flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching             inflorescences supported by upright peduncles; flowers with             three petals, two lateral petals and one center petal             transformed into a labellum and three sepals.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months             after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter             into the spring.         -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers             maintain good substance for about four weeks on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence             apex).—About 34.6 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—About 19.8 cm.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 1.8 cm. Diameter: About 1.3 cm by             1.5 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 183B; towards             the base, tinged with close to 146C; venation, close to 183A             to slightly darker than 183A.         -   Flower size.—About 7.4 cm (vertical) by 8.4 cm (horizontal).         -   Flower depth.—About 2.9 cm.         -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals             and one center petal transformed into a labellum.         -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.1 cm. Width: About 5.1 cm.             Shape: Reniform to lunate. Apex: Obtuse. Margin: Entire.             Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous, velvety; matte. Color: When opening, upper             surface: Distal half, close to N75B with dense venation,             close to 77B; proximal half, close to 76B with venation,             close to N75B; at the base (at column connection), close to             157D. When opening, lower surface: Close to 69A; towards the             margins, close to 76B to 76C; at the base, close to 150D;             venation, close to 72B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close             to N155A; densely covered with fine dots, close to N78C and             N78D and venation, close to N78B; at the base (at column             connection), close to NN155C; margin edges, close to N155A;             color does not change with subsequent development. Fully             opened, lower surface: Close to N75C to N75D; venation,             close to 77B; color does not change with subsequent             development.         -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and             a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 2 cm. Width,             lateral lobes: About 1.6 cm. Length, central lobe: About             3.1 cm. Width, central lobe: About 7 mm to 24 mm. Shape,             lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Deltoid. Apex,             lateral lobes: Rounded. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with two             narrow and strongly recurved cirrose tips, about 1.4 cm in             length and about 2 mm in width. Margins, lateral lobes:             Entire; coarsely undulate. Margins, central lobe: Entire.             Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous, moderately velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at             the base of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral             petals; about 4 mm in length, about 6 mm in width and about             6 mm in height. Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral             lobes: Close to 156D; towards the base, close to 179A and at             the base, stripes, close to 183B; dense venation, close to             N78B and NN78B. Central lobe: Close to 64C; towards the             apex, close to 64B; towards the margins and apex, strongly             tinged with close to 175D; at the base (at column             connection), close to 157D with radial stripes, close to             185A; main vein, close to 60B; cirrose tips, close to 64C.             Callosities: Close to 10A; fine dots, close to 187C. When             opening, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 76A to 76B;             towards the base, close to 156C; basal margin, close to             166C. Central lobe: Close to 76C; towards the margins and             apex, close to 174B; at the base (at column connection),             close to 157B; margin edges, close to 61A. Fully opened,             upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 156D; towards the             base, close to 178C to 178D and at the base, tinged with             close to 8B and stripes, close to 183B; dense venation,             close to N78B and NN78B. Central lobe: Close to 64C; towards             the apex, close to 64B; towards the margins and apex,             strongly tinged with close to 178C; at the base (at column             connection), lighter than 157D with radial stripes, close to             185A; main vein, close to 60B; cirrose tips, close to 64C.             Callosities: Close to 13B; fine dots, close to 187C. Fully             opened, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 76A; towards             the base, close to 156D; basal margin, close to 166C.             Central lobe: Close to N75D; towards the margins and apex,             close to 174B; at the base (at column connection), close to             157B; margin edges, close to 61A.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal             sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:             About 4.5 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3 cm. Length,             lateral sepals: About 4.3 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About             2.9 cm. Shape, dorsal sepal: Elliptic to ovate. Shape,             lateral sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal sepal: Bluntly acute.             Apex, lateral sepals: Narrowly obtuse to bluntly acute.             Base, dorsal and lateral sepals: Truncate. Margin, dorsal             and lateral sepals: Entire. Texture and luster, dorsal and             lateral sepals, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous,             velvety; matte. Color, dorsal sepal: When opening, upper             surface: Close to 76B and 76C; fine dots, close to N75B and             N75C; venation, close to N78B. When opening, lower surface:             Close to 184D; towards the margins and apex, close to N74C;             venation, close to 184A to 184B. Fully opened, upper             surface: Close to N155C; densely covered with fine dots,             close to N78C and N78D and venation, close to N78B; at the             base (at column connection), close to NN155C; margin edges,             close to N155A. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N78C;             towards the margins, close to N80C to N80D; venation, close             to NN78B. Color, lateral sepals: When opening, upper             surface: Distally, close to 157D and tinged with close to             N75A with venation, close to 77B; proximally, close to 157D             and at the base, close to 154D with blotches and fine dots,             close to 184A. When opening, lower surface: Close to 185C             fading to closer to 152D; venation, close to 183C. Fully             opened, upper surface: Close to N155C; densely covered with             fine dots, close to N78C and N78D and venation, close to             N78B; at the base (at column connection), close to 155C with             blotches and fine dots, close to 72C; margin edges, close to             76C to 76D. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N78C;             towards the apex, close to N78B; at the base, close to 157B;             venation, close to 71B.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 61 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm.             Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.             Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to             138A to 138B; densely covered with fine dots, close to 147A;             proximally, dots becoming denser and closer to N189A.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.5 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 50° from peduncle             axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:             Close to 146C; proximally, close 147A and distally, close to             157A and tinged with close to 75B.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 8 mm.             Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Close to N75D to             lighter than N75D. Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia diameter             (per two pollinia): About 2.5 mm. Pollinia color: Close to             23A. Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 3 mm. Stigma width:             About 4.5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color: Close to             N155A. Ovary length: About 6 mm. Ovary diameter: About 1 mm.             Ovary color: Close to 150A. Seeds and fruits: To date, seed             and fruit development have not been observed on plants of             the new Phalaenopsis. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis     have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been     observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 15° to about     40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Pure Love’ as illustrated and described. 